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Ayurvedic Home
Remedies for Acne
by
Juliet Cohen |
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Acne is a skin condition that shows
up as different types of bumps. It makes no exceptions. Acne
is commonly known as pimple or zit. Acne is a skin condition
which is common across the globe. Acne affects most teenagers
to some extent. These factors clog the pores and the result is
acne. This is mainly because of hormone level fluctuations and
increased sebum production. Acne develops when the hair follicle
of skin gets plugged by overproduction of sebum, dead cells and
become infected by bacteria. it can affect people from ages 10
through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop
acne in their mid-to-late 20’s, even if they have not had
breakouts in years (or ever). Acne affects people of all skin
colours. The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in
people with black or brown skin but the impact is altered by
the skin pigmentation. One of the major causes of acne is increase
in hormones known as androgens. This is caused in both boys and
girls during the period of puberty and makes the sebaceous glands
enlarge and creates more sebum. Another cause of acne is heredity
which can be inherited from parents. The skin lesions formed
by acne can take on several forms, with the most common type
known as acne vulgaris. While skin lesions are most frequently
found on the the face, they may also be present on the chest,
back, shoulders and upper arms. |
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There are many misconceptions and
rumours about acne. Lesion—a physical change in body tissue
caused by disease or injury. Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary
to the three hormone sources above. Acne lesions range in severity
from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules and cysts.
Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.
Traditionally, attention has focused mostly on hormone-driven
over-production of sebum as the main contributing factor of acne.
More recently, more attention has been given to narrowing of
the follicle channel as a second main contributing factor. Abnormal
shedding of the cells lining the follicle, abnormal cell binding
("hyperkeratinization") within the follicle, and water
retention in the skin (swelling the skin and so pressing the
follicles shut) have all been put forward as important mechanisms.
Several hormones have been linked to acne: the male hormones
testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone
sulfate (DHEAS), as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I).
In addition, acne-prone skin has been shown to be insulin resistant.
Seafood often contains relatively high levels of iodine.
Severe acne often leaves small
scars where the skin gets a "volcanic" shape. Many
type of acne is affected for adults. Cysts and nodules often
occur together in a severe form of acne called nodulocystic.
Nodule like a papule, a nodule is a solid, dome-shaped or irregularly-shaped
lesion. A nodule may be very painful. Comedo is a sebaceous follicle
plugged with sebum, dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle,
tiny hairs, and sometimes bacteria. A closed comedo is commonly
called a whitehead. papule is defined as a small (5 millimeters
or less), solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of
the skin. Pustule—A dome-shaped, fragile lesion containing
pus that typically consists of a mixture of white blood cells,
dead skin cells, and bacteria. A pustule that forms over a sebaceous
follicle usually has a hair in the center. Acne pustules that
heal without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars.
This photo shows pustules, papules and comedones on the face
of an acne patient. Macule is the temporary red spot left by
a healed acne lesion. It is flat, usually red or red-pink, with
a well defined border. Macule may persist for days to weeks before
disappearing. Cyst is a sac-like lesion containing liquid or
semi-liquid material consisting of white blood cells, dead cells,
and bacteria. It is larger than a pustule, may be severely inflamed,
extends into deeper layers of the skin, may be very painful,
and can result in scarring. Nodular acne is a severe form of
acne that may not respond to therapies other than isotretinoin.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies for
Acne
1.Namely, niacin and
vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. Vitamin
therapy should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times
daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times
daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily.
2.Another effective remedy in the
area of nutrition is zinc. Zinc should be taken in therapeutic
doses of 50 mg three times a day. Zinc is available in tablet
and in capsule form.
3.Orange
peel has been found very effective. Pound the orange peel with
water on a piece stone and apply to acne affected areas.
4.Lemon juice applied regulary
has proved very beneficial in reducing pimples and acne.
5.Garlic has been used successfully
to cure acne. Rub with raw garlic several times a day. Garlic
is known to have cured the toughest of acne problem.
6.A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch
of turmeric powder, is another effective home remedy for pimples
and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after
thoroughly washing it every night before retiring. Mint juice
can be used in a similar manner as coriander juice.
7.Fenugreek is another useful remedy for acne.
A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, applied over the
face every night before going to bed and washed with warm water
in the morning, prevents pimples and blackheads.
8.Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes,
and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found effective.
It is the best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use
prevents pimples and blackheads.
9.Aloe
vera juice applied to acne is an effective treatment. It can
also be taken internally.
10.Wash
face with avocado paste mixed with water. |
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